Motoring to Puerto Pollensa

[whaleywanderer]

We will be motoring to Puerto Pollensa this year. We start our journey on the 3rd April, boarding the Portsmouth to Santander ferry 'Pont Avon', we will dimembark the next day at 18.00hrs. We will probably take the Via Michelin route from Santander to Barcelona (approx 440 miles), where we will take the Balearia ferry to Alcudia.

We are looking for any recommendations for reasonably priced accommodation en route to Barcelona, roughly 100 miles out of Santander.

 

[Sparky]

Excellent Whaley you must be getting very excited .
If you are thinking of stopping over around Logrono here is a link for hotels in the area http://www.booking.com/city/es/logrono.en.html?inac=0 .
Hope it helps.

 

[lollipop]

Good Luck Whaley. Will be thinking of you.

 

[tibbles]

We will be motoring to Puerto Pollensa this year. We start our journey on the 3rd April, boarding the Portsmouth to Santander ferry 'Pont Avon', we will dimembark the next day at 18.00hrs. We will probably take the Via Michelin route from Santander to Barcelona (approx 440 miles), where we will take the Balearia ferry to Alcudia.

We are looking for any recommendations for reasonably priced accommodation en route to Barcelona, roughly 100 miles out of Santander.

We'll be interested in any replies to this enquiry - we have been considering the drive ourselves - not just because I am the world's worst flyer but thought we could make it part of a good holiday ... we plan to arrive in Santander. Tibbles

 

[clinkham]

Whilst the cost of hotels bookable through Brittany Ferries won't be the cheapest, they are good value. Might be worth ringing BF with your query and see what may be available.
Pont Aven is a super ship - food excellent and well priced. Internet access a bit pricey if you need your PP forum fix. Book prior to sailing if you want to eat in the posh restraunt. It is very good.
As you will have gathered, one of my hobbies is spending other people's money!

Have a great trip.

 

[Sparky]

Clinkham i agree 100% about the Pont Aven, we use it several times and it is great.

 

[clinkham]

Whaley - how about this? Bilbao 103km from Santander, on the route suggested by Google to Barcelona. Google 'Etap hotel' and go through the search function to find the Bilbao hotel. Rooms currently available £28/£33pn.

Where ever you end up laying your head, have a good trip

 

[whaleywanderer]

Thanks Sparky and Clinkham - Logrono does seem to be a nice distance from Santander but would sooner stay in hotel/motel like our Travellodges here in the uk, clean, basic and cheap, where we can park the car at the hotel.

I think the Etap hotels are something similar to our Travellodge but think Bilbao is not far enough into the journey as that would leave us a fair amount of km to cover the next day. I am, however, going to look for Etap locations a bit further into the journey (perhaps near Logrono).

If anybody can up with anymore names of groups of budget, stopover hotels in Spain I would be grateful.

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[Sparky]

Have a look at "Trivago" hotels search, there are a few in Logrono, they give maps and the cheapest price comparisons.

 

[Sparky]

Hi Whaley, how did you get on with your hotel search?. Only 6 more sleeps until your adventure starts .

 

[The Wob]

The Pont Avon is a great way to travel. I did the journey last year from Portsmouth on my own. Arrived in Santander at about 10.00 am and then drove down to Barcelona, which took about 7 hours. A quiet drive but beautiful countryside in the middle of Spain (almost semi-arid). I then took the overnight ferry to Palma, which left at about 10.00 pm. Arrived in Mallorca at 7 am and had breakfast in PP. I then had to drive back in September, the long route via France which was a mission. It is definitely worth getting the long ferry, and the cost is on par when you have to pay the tolls/fuel.

 

[whaleywanderer]

Sparky - Panic is definitely setting in now, wondering, have I done everything, have I got all documentation etc? Not booked a hotel yet but I will probably take Clinkham's advice and stay just through Bilbao as we don't want to be driving after dark on unfamiliar roads. Hopefully will book the hotel today.

Just booked the Miramar with a sea view for our first night in PP as my son is in the apartment until Saturday, thought we would treat ourselves and didn't really want to see the apartment after three young men have been in!

We plan to set off early on Tuesday morning to catch the 17.00 sailing on Pont Avon from Portsmouth (subject to us being able to obtain diesel, which is proving a bit of a problem at the moment!).

The Wob - Yes, looking forward to the sail, we would much prefer the shorter drive from Santander and good to hear it is a fairly quiet road, just got to get out of Santander and through Barcelona and we'll be fine. Been advised to follow the car in front when disembarking the ferry, just hope they are going where we want to go.

Just going to book the Barcelona to Alcudia ferry now with Balearia, leaves at 23.59 and arrives Alcudia at 09.00, should be having coffee at the Miramar by about 10.00

Well these are our plans and lets hope the old saying "The best laid plans.........." turns out to be wrong. I'll try to keep you all posted about our journey.

Hasta pronto mis amigos

 

[sws97sdg]

Best of luck Whaley and a safe trip over, everything will be fine

 

[tibbles]

Good luck Whaley and family - it sounds fantastic - will read your experience with interest as we are still thinking about the same trip! Buen viaje! Tibbles

 

[tibbles]

Hello Clinkham & co not long now and counting! Tibbles & co

 

[Sparky]

Whaley at least you won't be driving through a blizzard like we did . Remember to have change for the toll roads and be very careful in the Barcelona ferry port, there are a lot of thieves operating in the area .
Have a good trip and i look forward to hearing all about it next week .
Bien viajes.

 

[cherylbb]

Bien Viages Whaley! Hope all goes well & you can enjoy the adventure.
Think you go on Ronda Litoral in Barcelona to the Port & go around the edge rather than through the city, don't you Sparky?

 

[Sparky]

Yes that's correct Cheryl, it was really quite easy .

 

[clinkham]

Marine Traffic

Best of luck Whaley and a safe trip over, everything will be fine

Here,here!!

For Forum members who want to 'join' Whaley on the trip south check out

Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions

Use the search to find Pont Aven, then click on 'pont aven' followed by current position or track, then watch as the sytem updates every couple of minutes or so as she progresses towards Santander.

The link below is where she is as I write - obviously this will change and may not show the Pont Aven later.

Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions

I have some shares in the Falklands oil explorers - it's almost reassuring to go to Marine Traffic when I get up in the morning to check if my investment is (relatively) safe and the drill platform is still on station. Then to PP Forum to check out where the proceeds will probably be spent Well, we can all dream, can't we?

Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions

Bon Voyage, Whaleywanderer

 

[whaleywanderer]

Bien Viages Whaley! Hope all goes well & you can enjoy the adventure.
Think you go on Ronda Litoral in Barcelona to the Port & go around the edge rather than through the city, don't you Sparky?

Thanks Cheryl, I was wondering what to put in the satnav to take me straight to the Balearia (Alcudia) ferry terminal. As you say if you programme it with Barcelona, it takes you to the centre.